Editorial Standards & How We Research

Last reviewed: May 2026

Our editorial mission

Low Tox Gear is an independent product directory and research resource for people who want to reduce their everyday chemical exposure. We exist because the gap between what consumer science actually says about chemical exposure — published in journals like The Lancet, Environmental Health Perspectives, JAMA and The New England Journal of Medicine — and what is communicated to consumers through marketing has grown too wide. Our role is to translate the science accurately and help readers make informed decisions.

How we research

Sources we use

Our editorial content draws primarily from:

  • Peer-reviewed journals (priority weight: high — these are our anchor citations)
  • Public health agency guidance (US EPA, Australian TGA, European Chemicals Agency, US CDC, WHO)
  • Independent third-party testing organisations (EWG, Consumer Reports, Mamavation, Toxic-Free Future)
  • Government regulatory databases (PubChem, NTP, IARC monographs)
  • Recognised certification bodies (OEKO-TEX, GOTS, bluesign, EWG Verified, MADE SAFE, NATRUE, EcoCert COSMOS)

Sources we are cautious of

  • Brand-published content marketing about a brand's own products
  • Anecdotal claims without underlying study citation
  • "Studies" funded directly by interested parties without independent review
  • Single-study findings that have not been replicated

How we frame causation

The relationship between chemical exposure and chronic conditions is rarely simple cause-and-effect. We distinguish between:

  • Causal evidence: dose-dependent, replicated, mechanism understood (we say "causes" or "contributes to")
  • Strong associational evidence: multiple independent cohort studies, biological plausibility (we say "is linked to" or "is associated with")
  • Emerging evidence: smaller studies, newer field (we say "evidence suggests" or "is being investigated")
  • Mechanistic plausibility only: cell-line or animal data without human evidence (we say "may potentially" with explicit caveats)

We do not claim products "cure," "treat" or "prevent" disease. Reducing chemical exposure can reduce body burden of specific chemicals — what that means clinically depends on context.

Editorial independence

Our condition-focused editorial pages do not link to specific products. We make this separation deliberate: when readers come to research what's known about a chronic condition, they should receive editorial guidance, not a sales pitch.

Product recommendations live on separate product guide pages. When we recommend a product:

  • We disclose any affiliate relationship (we participate in the Amazon Associates programme and may receive commissions from qualifying purchases — this does not affect what we recommend)
  • We base recommendations on certifications, third-party testing data and ingredient transparency — not on commission rates
  • We name products we have specific reservations about, even when those products would otherwise generate affiliate revenue for us
  • We update product recommendations when new testing data emerges or when products reformulate

How we update content

The science of environmental chemical exposure is moving quickly. We update pages when:

  • New peer-reviewed evidence emerges that materially changes guidance
  • Regulatory changes alter the chemical landscape (e.g. new PFAS bans)
  • Reader correspondence identifies an error or unclear passage

Every page shows a "Last reviewed" date. If a page has been substantially rewritten, we add a note describing what changed and why.

Disclaimer

All content on Low Tox Gear is educational only and does not constitute medical advice. The information presented is general in nature and may not apply to your individual circumstances. We do not diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. For personal medical decisions — including any change to medication, supplements, or pregnancy/preconception planning — consult a qualified healthcare practitioner.

Affiliate disclosure

Low Tox Gear may earn commissions from qualifying purchases through affiliate links to retailers including Amazon. Affiliate revenue helps fund our research and editorial work. It does not change which products we recommend — recommendations are based on certifications, ingredient transparency and independent testing data. We disclose affiliate relationships clearly on every product guide page.

Contact & corrections

If you spot an error or want to suggest a correction, please contact us via the contact page. We take editorial accuracy seriously and respond to substantive corrections within 7 days.